STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 225 



well for the bleached; and hence oar growers are wise in adopting the 

 suggestion that we made several years ago, to bleach all of their fruits. 



California Figs. — There has been a very fair crop of the black variety 

 this year, which was principally sold to the coast trade. We are also 

 pleased to make mention of the fact that some genuine White Adriatic 

 and White Smyrna figs of California growth have made their appearance 

 in the market this year, which in color and flavor are in every way equal 

 to the imported figs. There are sections in this State where this white fig 

 can be grown to perfection; especially is this the case in Fresno County, 

 which seems to be the natural home of the white fig. We believe that 

 this industry will grow as the raisin industry of California has grown, and 

 that in a few years from now we shall commence to send these figs to our 

 eastern brethren. They thought we could not do much on raisins, but we 

 proved to the contrary; and we believe now firmly that the California 

 white fig will, in time, be as well known in the East as the California rai- 

 sin is to-day. There is nothing impossible in California. 



Evaporated Apples. — On account of the discouraging outlook in the early 

 part of the season, and the low prices prevailing in the East, the quantity 

 put up in California this year has been quite light, and before spring we 

 shall be obliged to draw from the East for supplies. A great improvement 

 has been made in packing our evaporated apples; and some of our best 

 brands now, so far as appearance is concerned, are equal to the best east- 

 ern fruit. Our trade, however, for these goods, is principally confined to 

 the coast and Australian markets. Evaporated apples put up in the Cali- 

 fornia valleys are not so tart as the eastern apple, but our foothill apples 

 are in every way equal. The old " chestnut " of California apples not being 

 equal to eastern apples is exploded when our foothill apples come into 

 competition with the eastern fruit. 



Bleached Unpeeled Peaches. — As will be noted by our estimate, the prod- 

 uct this year is largely in excess of 1887. This is accounted for partly by 

 the heavy increase in the product of peaches, as well as the fact that pro- 

 ducers generally are year by year devoting more attention to the bleaching 

 of their fruit than ever before. Like apricots, the prices have ruled lower 

 this year, and the result has been that large quantities have been consigned 

 East, and in most cases sold at less than the owner could have realized at 

 home. These consignments have pretty well cleaned out the stock here 

 of choice goods ; and now anything that is nice is bringing pretty good 

 prices in this market. The demand for these goods is constantly increas- 

 ing; and, in fact, we think they can now be found in nearly all the large 

 markets of the United States. Being a large and meaty fruit, the Califor- 

 nia peach is the finest put up anywhere. Their only competitors are the 

 Delaware peaches; but these do not begin, in quality nor in size, to com- 

 pare on the average with the California goods, though when packed in 

 boxes more care is used, perhaps, than is customary with our California 

 packers. It is likely that we shall go out of the year with a pretty bare 

 market. The out-turn of these goods will increase in quantity year by 

 year. 



California Walnuts. — The product this year does not vary very much 

 from that of 1887. Prices, however, are considerably lower than last year; 

 and while the quality of our best California walnut is unquestionably equal 

 to the imported, the demand during this season has been sluggish. This 



15 20 



